Field Service IT News For VARs — February 11, 2014
By Amy Taylor, contributing writer
The news includes reports of how mobile is revolutionizing field service this week and throughout 2014. From new apps to collecting payments, fleet managers turn to mobile technology to increase efficiency and organize data. Also, field service can leverage data to continually evolve processes and maintain effective fleet management.
Mobile Devices Could Enhance Fleets In 2014
As the cost of mobile devices decreases and durability increases, Mobile Commerce Press, reports these technologies can help increase the efficiency of fleets. The claim hints that smartphones and tablets are on their way in to fleet management in an important way throughout 2014, which makes it an ideal time for deploying mobile devices and apps.
Workforce Management Tools Have ROI For Field Service Customers
Business 2 Community says that underperforming workers in field service have the potential to create a ripple effect of reduced revenue, increased expenses, and unhappy customers. A recent study found that field service organizations leveraging workforce management tools — and using the data to develop plans to increase productivity and initiate programs to ensure better customer service — complete nearly 10 percent more work orders each day and are 2.5 percent more profitable than average performers.
Tablet Devices Grow In Popularity Over Smartphones
The Silicon Republic reports that global tablet device shipments for 2013 came in at a 57 percent increase over 2012, surpassing the 43 percent increase in year-over-year growth of smartphones. The tablets with displays between 5 and 7 inches became increasingly popular in 2013.
U.S. Fleet Managers Plan To Increase Spending
Truck News reports that U.S. fleet managers and executives are planning to invest in their fleets this year. According to a recent study, 62 percent of the surveyed fleet executives plan to place orders for Class 8 trucks sometime in the next three months and 48 percent expect to place trailer orders during the first quarter of 2014. The spending is mostly planned to replace vehicles, not expand the size of the fleet.
Field Service IT Talking Points
Computerworld makes the case that “With BYOD smartphones on the rise, IT headaches will become migraines.” Through 2017, there is expected to be 30 percent annual growth of smartphones purchased under the BYOD (bring your own device) approach. IT managers will be challenged to manage more devices on three platforms— and HTML 5 hasn’t progressed fast enough to support multiple platforms.
Mobile Commerce Press said that “Mobile payments make up 20 percent of global transactions in 2013.” The report highlights the growing prominence of mobile commerce in business.